What does "age discrimination" refer to in employment law?

In employment law, "age discrimination" specifically pertains to the unfair treatment of individuals based on their age when making employment decisions. This can include hiring, firing, promotions, job assignments, and benefits. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) in the United States is a key piece of legislation that protects workers aged 40 and over from discrimination based on their age. This means that any employment practice that adversely affects older employees simply due to their age, rather than their qualifications or work performance, constitutes age discrimination.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of age discrimination. While unfair treatment based solely on educational qualifications or favoring younger employees exclusively might relate to other forms of discrimination, they do not address the specific issue of age. Similarly, a preference for hiring older individuals, regardless of experience, does not exemplify age discrimination as it does not impose negative consequences on individuals based solely on their age. Thus, the correct answer encapsulates the core principle of age discrimination in a work context.